Record year for Blue Suede Cruise

TUPELO – More wheels, more engines, more horse power – this year’s Blue Suede Cruise is shaping up to be the biggest ever.

“We’ve had 406 pre-register – that’s the most we’ve ever had,” said Allen McDaniel, curator of the Tupelo Automobile Museum and director of the Blue Suede Cruise. “We’ve picked up a lot of people in other areas who’ve never been to Blue Suede Cruise. It’s very encouraging.”

McDaniel expects to see about 800 classic cars out at the BancorpSouth Arena for this year’s festival.

The events kick off tonight with a drive-in movie at the Tupelo Automobile Museum.

“If we have any Natalie Wood or Tony Curtis fans, they can come see the movie,” McDaniel said.

The site opens at 10 a.m. Friday, 9 a.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. Sunday.

The Blue Suede Cruise parade is set for 8:30 a.m. Saturday.

Folks can check out classic cars and enjoy music by The Gents and the Van-Dells on Friday, and The Bouffants and the Van-Dells on Saturday. There will be gospel music on Sunday. Lawn chairs are welcome.

There will also be food and a poker run. Cruisers can visit Tupelo hot spots like the Elvis Presley Birthplace and the Oren Dunn Museum to win cash prizes at the end of the festival.

“If you want a weekend of food, fun, fellowship and back to the ’50s, and for free, this is the weekend for it,” McDaniel said.